It can be difficult to obtain a loan if you are a member of HM forces mainly due to the unique demands that service life entails. There are not many civillian careers that involve moving so often, sometimes just for a few months or sometimes for years, and to various parts of the UK or to postings overseas.
Moving house so regularly can prevent service personnel from building-up a good credit history as quickly as they might with a more settled home address. Accomodation tends often to be on camp or rented, rather than purchased. It's sometimes difficult to keep up to date with electoral information, and telephone and utility accounts may be absent if you are living in barracks - all these factors can combine to have a negative effect on your ability to get credit.
There are reputable lenders that specialize in loans for service personnel, but it's important to 'shop around' as you would for any other product. The web makes this easy to do, no matter where you are. There are plenty of online comparison sites for loans, which can provide you with quotes often within hours of enquiring. Check that you are dealing with a reputable company with the appropriate consumer credit licence and ask the following questions:
What is the APR (annual percentage rate)? What is the total amount that I will be repaying?
What will the monthly repayments be, and are they fixed or variable? You will need these answers to compare the various loan deals and to discover how competitive their offers are.
Don't be tempted to send off multiple applications to lenders, especially if they require your approval for a credit search. Each time you are credit searched this is marked on your credit file, and too many searches can alert your prospective creditor to possible financial problems. If you're not sure about your credit history, you can obtain a copy of your report on line for a fee - an enquiry of this type won't adversely affect any application you may be considering.
Before taking on a loan to consolidating existing debt it is advisable to take some independent advice. There may be alternatives to seeking additional borrowing which you hadn't considered. If you are in HM Forces and are experiencing financial problems the Royal British Legion can offer grants and loans to current and ex-members of the services for a variety of purposes. The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) also offer support. When you are dealing with debt it is advisable to get as professional information and advice as soon as possible before making any decisions.
By: Fiona Howard